Twin lion safaris.Tourisim in kenya

The Mount Kenya Park is the perfect place to relax after a dusty safari and get a different take on Kenya, particularly as it is located between some of Kenya's top national parks: Aberdare, Samburu and Meru.

At a giddy 5199m Mount Kenya dominates the Central Highlands. It is Africa's second highest mountain, formed between two-and-three-million-years-ago by a series of volcanic eruptions. It probably once had a crater not unlike Mount Kilimanjaro's, but erosion has sheared this down to a series of peaks.

The mountain above the forest line is a national park and it supports rainforest and dense thickets of bamboo, while higher up the flora changes dramatically: moorland and giant lobelia and heather. The forests are home to elephant, buffalo, monkeys, antelope and giant forest hog. The birdlife around the mountain is also prolific, ranging from huge eagles to multicoloured sunbirds.

There are three peaks, Point Lenana can be reached by most relatively fit people, but the other two are only accessible to mountaineers with technical skills. Mt Kenya is circled by a tar road which is in good condition and on this you will find the area's main towns; Naro Moru, Nanyuki, Meru and Embu.

The mountain was first climbed in 1899 by Sir Halford McKinder and today is a popular peak to conquer. For the adventurous and outdoor types there are a variety of hiking and mountain climbing trails to choose from.